Employer Guidance for Keeping Workers Safe

With many stay-at-home orders lifting and businesses reopening, U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is asking employers to take the following six steps to reduce the risk of worker exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in their workplaces:

1. Develop an Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response Plan
2. Prepare to Implement Basic Infection Prevention Measures
3. Develop Policies and Procedures for Prompt Identification and Isolation of Sick People, if Appropriate
4. Develop, Implement, and Communicate about Workplace Flexibilities and Protections
5. Implement Workplace Controls (engineering and administrative controls, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment [PPE])
6. Follow existing OSHA Standards

(Read OSHA’s “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19” here.)

Mike Palmer, past Vice President of Health and Safety Services and now Vice-Chairman of EnSafe’s Board of Directors, recently discussed OSHA recommendations, as well as CDC guidelines, for safely reopening and operating businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic in an episode of PointbyPoint podcast, hosted by Waller Law of Nashville, Tennessee. Mike shared his insights and practical tips with Waller partner Aron Karbel and Steve Hawkins, Deputy Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development for the State of Tennessee and former Administrator of Tennessee OSHA.

Listen NOW.